Search Documents

L. C. UREn,* BerkelEy, Cal. (written discussion).—I heartily concur with Rlr. .Fobs concerning the need for advanced courses on various phases of Petroleum Engineering. I think that his criticism is probably true of most of the engineering schools that are specializing at all in Petroleum Engineering, that is, that most of their so-called graduate courses are not of graduate caliber but are merely more specialized aspects of undergraduate subjects. It would undoubtedly be to the advantage of the petroleum profession if more advanced work could be offered in a few of the leading engineering institutions so that there would be something substantial to offer graduate students wishing to return after a period of undergraduate work, for additional training. There is no doubt but that a better trained engineer, more useful to the oil industry, could be secured from schools offering such advanced training. The problem of adpting our instruction to fit the needs of engineers trained along other lines who wish, after completion of their undergraduate work, to enter thc petroleum engineering field, is a more difficult one. It has been my experience that such men are usually sadly deficient along certain lines and that they are really not prepared for the more advanced work in Petroleum Production Engineering until they have gone back over the work which they have missed in their undergraduate training. I note that Mr. Fohs suggests that other eastern and western colleges not now stressing Petrolelim Engineering, should be encouraged to take up advanced work of this character. With this, however, I cannot agree unless the institutions arc also prepared to offer a full sequence of undergraduate work on which the more advanced courses may be superimposed. Whether or not there is a need for additional engi-ncering colleges entering the petroleum engineering field is an open qucstion. I believe that we arc turning out enough petroleum engineers at the present time and that none of the six institutions now specializing in this field arc overcrowded. Morc-ovcr, they are fairly well distributed over the country, though there may be room for an additional school in the field in the eastcrn section of the United States. F. W. Padgett, Norman, Okla. (written tliscussion).—Assuming that the stnclcnt has the proper fundamentals, that is, general science and a knowledge of the technology of the industry, then the problem is: What courses should be offered from the graduate standpoint? (a) Course Work.—His knowledge of the technology of the industry can be extended advantagcously by means of one and two-hour courses, which consist in a more detailed survey of the various branches of the industry. (b) Lilerdure.—This work may, or may not, be connected directly with his research problem. The student should become familiar with methods of locating articles in the 1iterature; should also become familiar with all the important original

Jan 1, 1928

By Thomas M. Barczak

A survey of the longwall industry was conducted to examine the performance of modern shield technology. The results of this survey indicate that state-of-the-art shields perform better and last longer than ever before, but premature failures do still occur. In addition, longwalI operators are now using shields longer than ever before and a greater number of fatigue related failures on aging shields are now occurring. A generic assessment of these shield failures is provided, describing the nature of the failures and how widespread they are throughout the industry. An engineering assessment of shield design and factors that cause shield failures is made using both strength of materials and fracture mechanics principles. From this analysis, design practices to improve structural margins of safety and extend the life of the shield are proposed. The existence of unexpected shield failures indicate that current shield performance testing is at times inadequate. Recommendations are made relative to improved shield performance testing protocols including the benefits of testing in an active load frame such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Mine Roof Simulator. Even the most rigorous shield testing procedures, which strive to simulate in-service loading conditions, fail to consider key environmental issues, such as corrosion which is often the cause of structural fatigue failures in modern shields. The survey also indicated that hydraulic failures occur much sooner in the life cycle of a shield than structural failures, and although they can significantly degrade support capability, often go undetected for long periods of time. Methods to detect the hydraulic failures are also provided. The paper concludes with key points to maximizing shield design and life expectancy and ideas for future generation shield designs.

Jan 1, 1999

By A. Eilers

In a former paper on Western Smelting Works, I mentioned the great difficulty of obtaining accurate information in regard to the economy of the processes in practice; and to-day, although nearly two years have elapsed since my former paper was written, I am sorry to say that very little improvement has taken place in the keeping of accounts, and in the direction of a more systematic management in the majority of these works. But I am quite certain that by this time even the most sanguine furnace managers must have become convinced, from the experience of the last year, that somewhere in their processes there are enormous losses. Rates for the purchase of ores in 1873 were not as high as they were in former years in certain parts of the country ; labor was no 'higher than formerly; the demand for unparted lead was good throughout the year, with the only exception of the time of the panic, in the fall of 1873; yet there are, of between 40 and 50 works, not more than two or three in Utah and Nevada to-day, that have paid a reasonable interest on the capital invested.

Carlisle: Jim Knapp, has been the good friend of hundreds-maybe thousands-of mining men in these western states in the last 40 or 50 years. Jim is going to talk about many of the mining camps of Nevada, where he has done plenty in the mining field during the last 50 years. Jim, for a starter, how did you happen to go to Nevada? Knapp: In the summer of 1902, two years after the discovery at Tonopah, the professor of mining at Stanford sent out myself and another student by the name of Joe Miller to make a report on the camp. We left San Francisco at 8 p.m., got to Reno the next morning, then took the train to Sodaville, arriving about 4:30 in the afternoon. The first man I met when I arrived at the Tonopah station was Tasker Oddie, a gentleman who later became the Govenor of the State and then a United States Senator. Before we got away from the stage station I also met S. H. Brady, the first mining engineer to put out his shingle in Tonopah. He afterwards became general manager of the West End Mining Co.

Jan 3, 1965

By A. Filers

IN a former paper on Western Smelting Works, I mentioned the great difficulty of obtaining accurate information in regard to the economy of the processes in practice ; and to-day, although nearly two years have elapsed since my former paper was written, I am sorry to say that very little improvement has taken place in the keeping of accounts, and in the direction of a more systematic management in the majority of these works. But I am quite certain that by this time even the most sanguine furnace managers must have become convinced, from the experience of the last year, that somewhere in their processes there are enormous losses. Rates for the purchase of ores in 1873 were not as high as they were in former years in certain parts of the country ; labor was no higher than formerly ; the demand for unparted lead was good throughout the year, with the only exception of the time of the panic, in the fall of 1873; yet there are, of between 40 and 50 works, not more than two or three in Utah and Nevada to-day, that have paid a reasonable interest on the capital invested.

Jan 1, 1875

By Stephan Jefferis

It is my understanding that the Scandinavians have done some fundamental work on durability. I have seen a study published whereby the author, Helen Anderson, comments on the durability of polyurethane grouts and there was -if I am not mistaken- a reference made to another Scandinavian testing institute comparing durability of the polyurethane to cement grout under the same type of circumstances. Circumstances are important so we should actually ask the gentleman to shed some light on this particular method because apparently Scandinavia is the place where durability has been taken very seriously and has been well researched.

Feb 10, 2003

By N. B. Strydom

I have read with interest all the papers dealing with heat transfer and the setting of heat stress limits that have appeared during the past two decades. Scientifically speaking, most of them can be rated as being of a high standard, and some of them have been acclaimed internationally as masterpieces of logical and calculated reasoning. Weathering of ore minerals A short course on 'The Weathering of Ore Minerals and the Textural Evaluation of Base Metal Gossans' is to be given by Dr I.M. Reynolds in Grahamstown from 4th to 6th October, 1982.

Jan 1, 1982

By Nicholas J. Grant, Ulf Kalling, John Chipman

D. E. Babcock (Republic Steel Corp., Youngstown, Ohio)—I would like to know what evidence you have to prove the MnO was pure MnO. I would also like to know whether you might not explain it on the basis of a temperature reversion; and, was it due to the oxidizing power of MnO? N. J. Grant (authors' reply)—Briefly, we have no proof that pure MnO was used. The manganese oxide was added as chemically pure MnO,. MnO is assumed as the oxide in the reacted slag following standard molecular slag theories, especially under the reducing conditions of these experiments. The noted sulphur reversion cannot by any means be explained on the basis of a temperature reversion since the temperature effect is shown in this paper to be very small. Until a more logical explanation can be offered, backed I hope by some experimental proof, we propose to explain this sulphur reversion as stated in the paper, namely, that it is due to the oxidizing effect of the added manganese oxide. Member—How did the oxygen in the slag give you a reversion of sulphur? What was the mechanism there?

Jan 1, 1952

By R. Kossowsky

In the course of a study concerned with structural stability of precipitation hardening nickel base super -alloys after exposures to elevated temperatures, some interesting effects of hydrostatic pressure treatment on Rene were observed. The evidence presented below suggests that hydrostatic pressure treatment of the solution heat-treated alloy can affect the dispersion of the y' (Ni3Al) phase upon subsequent precipitation heat treatment and long time aging. Rene 41 alloy has the following nominal weight percent composition: Al B C Co Cr Fe Mn Mo Ti Ni 1.4 0.006 0.7 11.3 19.2 1.0 0.05 9.4 3.3 balance The effect of successive pressure, precipitation heat treatment, and long time aging on the microstructure of this alloy was determined by subjecting a number of alloy buttons to five different thermopressure treatments. Pressure and precipitation heat-treatment parameters are listed in Table I. Fig. 1 shows y' morphology* of specimens in groups I and 11. The treatment results in a fine dispersion with particle size on the order of 950 and 1350A, respectively, see Table I. Fig. 2 shows the morphology of y' precipitate in

Jan 1, 1967

By P. L. Ngwenyama, W. W. deGraaf

South Africa is one of the leading producers and exporters of coal globally. A significant amount of the country’s production is obtained from previously mined underground bord and pillar workings. This coal is in the form of pillars and remnants on the roof and floor of the old workings. The good quality coal pillars were left behind as primary support during underground bord and pillar mining operations. Due to the depletion of virgin coal reserves, the pillars and remnant coal are now removed using opencast mining rather than underground methods. However, the secondary extraction of pillars and remnant coal from the old workings using opencast methods entails some serious challenges that have a negative impact on the safety and productivity of the operations, affecting both personnel and machinery. If these risk factors and challenges are managed properly, then the opencast mining operations could remove the pillars safely at recoveries competitive with those of virgin coal operations. In this study we review the recurring challenges affecting opencast pillar mining by means of field investigations and consultations with experts at five opencast pillar mining operations, and evaluate the best practices used to combat these challenges. It was found that each mine has its own unique conditions and challenges.

Dec 1, 2021

By Fridrik J. Kristjansson, Stephen R. Hicock

"Three varieties of till are recognized in the Beardmore-Geraldton area: local lodgement till, nonlocal carbonate till, and local supraglacial till. The local lodgement till unit is examined in detail for the first time in this paper. It is the best potential overburden exploration medium for gold and other metals because its particles were locally-derived and deposited subglacially, probably within a few kilometres downglacier (southwestward) from their sources, and have not been diluted by distantly-derived glacialdebris. Both local tills are richer in gold and other metals, relative to nonlocal carbonate till. Local lodgement till rests on bedrock and was encountered frequently at or near the surface in thin drift/bedrock terrain (a widespread terrain type within the west half of the study area), and commonly at the base of boreholes in thick till terrain.INTRODUCTIONDrift prospecting in areas of glaciated terrain has been well documented (in a variety of journal publications and symposium volumes; e.g . Strobel and Faure 1987; MacDonald and Mills 1988) and has proven valuable especially where overburden thicknesses hinder traditional exploration techniques. Drift prospecting techniques may well prove valuable in the Beardmore Geraldton area. This applies especially to the Wildgoose Lake Turkey Lake area where a thick and laterally extensive sheet of nonlocal carbonate till has impeded conventional mineral exploration programs (Fig. I; note the lack of gold occurrences around Wildgoose Lake).Till in .particular has been cited as the best prospecting medium among the various types of glacial sediment (e.g. Shilts 1984). Three end member till varieties are recognized in the study area: (I) local lodgement till which rests directly on bedrock; (2) non local carbonate till; and (3) local supraglacial till which occurs predominatly within, or just downglacier of, upland areas where it commonly mantles the other till varieties. Previous authors have documented how the non local carbonate till hinders gold exploration (Geddes and Kristjansson 1986; Karrow and Geddes 1987; Kristjansson 1986; Hicock 1986, 1987a, b, 1988; Kristjansson and Thorieifson 1987; Thorleifson and Kristjansson 1987, 1988a, b) and why the local supraglacial till may be a good unit for prospecting (Hicock 1986). One detailed surficial geology map sheet of the area has been published (Kristjansson et al., 1988) and others are in preparation. Closs and Sado (1981) reported on the geochemistry of soils and glacial sediments in the west half of the study area. This paper documents the local lodgement till unit and demonstrates why it is the best overburden unit to use for drift prospecting."

Jan 1, 1989

By D. C. Brady

"Within six months from award of a project management contract, Les Mines Dumagami Limitée, Cadillac, Quebec, was operating its new hoisting facility. This was accomplished with less than a six-week shutdown of mine production while still maintaining shaft access for underground maintenance.The work involved installing a refurbished /3.5 ft diameter double drum hoist, replacing a timber headframe with a newsteel headframe, increasing the ore bin capacity from 500tons to 1000 tons, constructing a new substation, and upgrading related facilities.This paper describes the work and methods used by various contractors, Les Mines Dumagami Limitée and J.S. Redpath Mining Consultants Limited to bring this project to a successful completion. It discusses the history of the project from proposal stage through to the design, procurement, scheduling, and construction management. The paper also comments on problems that were encountered and the methods used to overcome them.IntroductionThe Donald J. Laronde Mine of Les Mines Dumagami Limitée (Dumagarni), a gold and copper producer, is located in northwestern Quebec, approximately half way between Val d'Or and Rouyn. The mine started production in the spring of 1988 and the first gold bar was poured in June 1988.Following a request by Dumagami, on February 22, 1989, J.S. Redpath Mining Consultants Limited(Redpath) delivered a proposal to increase hoisting capabilities from 1500 tpd to a minimum of 2500tpd. Although various concepts were considered, Redpath proposed a new hoist house along the same shaft axis as the existing hoist, and located on the site of the existing substation. They would then provide a new substation, replace the headframe with a largersteel structure , gain extra storage capacities by increasing the bin heights, and raising the roof of the bin house accordingly.Although underground mining would have to be stopped for a month, the mill production would be maintained by feed from Dumagami's open pit.Figure 1 shows the original plant layout and Figure 2 represents the general arrangement after the project was completed . Table 1 compares the original hoisting facilities to the new facilities.On March 2, Dumagami awarded Redpath a contract that included preliminary engineering, detailed engineering, procurement and contract administration, and later added construction management. The preliminary engineering refined the initialconcept, selected major equipment, and prepared schedules and capital cost estimates for the total project."

Jan 1, 1991

PASSING over the derivation of the word as well as the description of the alum that has been written of as a liquid and that was once called natta, I tell you that the alum that is commonly called rock alum today is a congealed earthy substance, clear and transparent, of a hot and dry nature, and of a bitter taste with a certain unctuous saltiness. It has an astringent and corrosive property and is drawn from mineral stones by means of art. All that I have seen is of the same nature but of two colors,

Jan 1, 1942

By L. Dison

This technical note is issued in two parts, as follows: Part I, after a brief introduction, discusses the value of patents and the law of patents, including patent applications and the exploitation of inventions. This is followed by some comments for the benefit of would-be inventors and potential users of patents. Part II, which will appear in the February issue of this Journal, focuses on the mining industry and then discusses views on patents that were Quoted in Part I. The last section makes recommendations as to how II1ventors and users (including mining authorities) should handle patents.

Jan 1, 1992

By J. Blodget Britton

To the question, "Do the Pennsylvania anthracites contain phosphorus ?" asked at the last meeting of the Institute during the discussion on the metallurgical value of Western lignites, I can now give a definite answer. Through the kindness of a gentleman connected with the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, and another connected with one of the principal ironworks on the Lehigh, there was sent to the Iron-masters' Laboratory a number of samples of the coals now largely shipped from the Schuylkill and Lehigh regions. Seventeen of these I examined for their contents of ash and phosphorus, and obtained results as follows

Jan 1, 1873

By Cyril Wells

THE diffusion of carbon in gamma iron plays an essential role in many metallurgical processes. In carburizing, in graphitizing, in homogenizing, in the formation of pearlite from austenite, and in other processes, migra-tion of carbon in gamma iron occurs.1,2 A full understanding of the rate at which these processes occur obviously requires a knowledge of the rate of diffusion of carbon. In carburizing, for example, the depth of carbon pentration is determined by the carbon concentration in solid solution at the surface, and by the rate of diffusion inward of the carbon. Until reliable data on the rates of diffusion of carbon are available it is unlikely that a full quantitative description of this process will be obtained. In the formation of pearlite from austenite, the segregation of carbon and alpha iron from the austenite obviously requires the diffusion of carbon; the rate at which pearlite nodules grow is evidently controlled at least in part by the rate of diffusion of carbon; it is unlikely that we shall understand the factors that determine the rate of growth unless data on rates of diffusion of carbon, and the variation of these with com-position, grain size, and temperature are available. Accordingly it was decided: (1) to determine, more accurately than hitherto, the diffusion coefficients of carbon in austenite over a wide temperature and a wide concentration range, (2) to study the influence of grain size and impurities on this diffusion coefficient, and (3) to study the effect of manganese and nickel on the rate of diffusion of carbon in the austenite of manganese and nickel steels, respectively; the influence of carbon on the rate of diffusion of manganese and of nickel will be made the subject of later papers. The rate of diffusion of carbon in gamma iron has been studied by Runge3 by Tammann and Schönert4, by Bramley and co-authors,5-14 and

Jan 1, 1940

By Michael J. Friedel

As part of a study aimed at understanding the hydrology of in situ leach mining (ISLM), the Bureau of Mines, in cooperation with the Cyprus Casa Grande Corporation and the University of Arizona, is investigating dynamic transmissivity conditions during ISLM of a copper oxide ore deposit. Spatial and temporal variations in ore zone transmissivity during two years of ISLM operations at the Cyprus Casa Grande mine are evaluated during sixteen intervals of steady-state injection and recovery well operation. Direct inversion of an analytical hydrologic model is used to obtain estimates of transmissivity at 58 well locations during these intervals. Univariate statistical and geostatistical methods are used to describe the temporal and/or spatial relationships that exist between transmissivity and other ISLM parameters, including average well injection pressure, average sulfuric acid concentration in leach solution, and the relative configuration of injection and recovery wells. Average transmissivity during the sixteen steady-state time intervals varies between 6.00 x 10-6 m2/min. (6.46 x 10-5 ft2/min.) and 3.61 x 10-8 m2/ min. (3.89 x 10-7 ft2/min.). A trend toward decreas¬ing transmissivity is evident during two year of ISLM operations. This decreasing trend is found to correlate with a decreasing sulfuric acid concentration in injected leach solution, and suggests increasing geochemical precipitation within the deposit. Geostatistical analyses reveal a dynamic and anisotropic transmissivity structure within the target ore zone, that is dependent upon spatial and temporal changes in injection pressure and well configuration.

Jan 1, 1992

By A. J. Ardell, O. D. Sherby

The elevated-temperature steady-state creep behavior of polycrystalline a Zr was studied in vacuo under constant tensile stress. The experiments were conducted from 660° to 845°C over the stress range 870 to 5400 psi. The steady-state creep rate, is, of a Zr was found to be related to the applied stress, a, and temperature, T, by the equation where C is a constant. Two interpretations of the data are considered, each requiring different values of the parameters ß, Q, and . It is shown that this formula can be derived using Gilman's phenomeno logical equation relating dislocation velocity to the shear stress for the case where dislocation mobility is limited by the nucleation of kink motion. From the fundamental dependence of strain rate on dislocation velocity and the density of mobile dislocations, the factor exp(ßo) can be related to the stress dependence of the dislocation density, and Q to the energy of kink formation. The two interpretations considered are as follows: Case I—the parameters are adjusted so that the equation above describes the data over the entire range of stress and temperature, implying that creep is controlled exclusively by dislocation glide; Case IIthe parameters are adjusted to allow for the possibility that creep is diffusion-controlled at high stresses but glide-controlled at low stresses. For both cases the values of the parameters are within the spread permitted by the data. Factors favorable to the observation of the unusual stress -dependence of i, for a Zr are discussed and it is shown that the anomalously rapid rates of self-diffusion and the low modulus on the principal glide system are primarily responsible for the anomalous creep behavior. Metal-lograflhic observations are presented and discussed with reference to the overall creep behavior. PREVIOUS investigations of the creep behavior of a Zr have been conducted from room temperature to about 500C The results of these investigations are primarily of engineering significance because of the variety of conditions under which they were carried out, and the low testing temperatures employed. Little information is available concerning the fundamental nature of the elevated-temperature creep behavior of a Zr. This investigation of the creep behavior of a Zr above half the melting temperature (the melting temperature, T,, of a Zr is estimated to be about 1860"K was initiated because there are two significant anomalies of the physical properties of a Zr: a) the rate of self-diffusion in polycrystalline a Zr is anomalously rapid: b) both Young's modulus for polycrystalline a Zr and the shear modylus as-sociated with the prismatic slip system { 1010)( 1120) (the principal slip system in a Zr 7) have anomalously large temperature variations The importance of these quantities to the understanding of creep behavior has been demonstrated, and it was hoped that this investigation would provide a critical test of the predictions based upon the analysis of creep data for other pure metals. However, as the investigation progressed it became increasingly clear that the unusual creep behavior of a Zr could not be analyzed in a conventional manner. 1) EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES Two grades of zirconium, designated A and B, were used in this investigation. The analyses, as supplied by the vendors, are presented in Table I. Material A, with a nominal purity of 99.84 pct, was supplied by the Wah Chang Corp. in the form of cold-rolled sheet from which specimens were machined without further fabrication. Material B, with a nominal purity of 99.95 pct, was purchased from the Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corp. in the form of iodide crystal bar.

Jan 1, 1968

By C. G. Anderson

Over the past 15 years numerous pressure oxidation plants for pretreatment of gold ores and concentrates have been installed throughout the world. While, this technology is now established, it suffers in term of the complex engineering and operational characteristics inherent in utilization of high temperatures (i.e. up to225°C) and high pressures (i.e. > 400 PSIG). This paper outlines the application of an industrially proven pressure leaching methodology utilizing nitrogen species catalyzed pressure leaching and alkaline sulfide gold leaching. As such, it stands as an economic and engineering advancement in pressure leach treatment of gold ores and concentrates.

Jan 1, 2003

By Richard E. Chism

Is my paper on Mexican weights and measures, presented at the Bethlehem meeting, I gave a formula for the reduction of Mexican ounces per carga to American ounces per ton, which may prove misleading. I wish therefore to substitute the following rule: To reduce Mexican ounces per carga of 300 Mexican pounds to Troy ounces per ton of 2000 pounds avoirdupois, multiply the number of ounces per carga by 6.078. Or, to reduce Troy ounces per ton of 2000 pounds avoirdupois to Mexican ounces per carga of 300 Mexican pounds, multiply the number of Troy ounces per ton by 0.165.

Jan 1, 1887